TO THE READER. ALTHOUGH a Preface, generally speaking, stands but little chance of gaining any one's attention, still I cannot resist the opportunity it gives me of impressing upon the reader's mind a few facts before he, or she, crosses the threshold of my story. First, then, I would tell him, or her, that the Tale of the FORTUNES OF FAIRLEIGH is not entirely drawn from imagination. Indeed, but for my visit to an English village, within the bounds of which its worthy landlord allowed no intoxicating liquor to be sold, it would never, in all probability, have been written; and I could, if need be, name the village-and very familiar, I am sure, it would be to many of my readers-visiting which set in action that train of thought which led to my telling 'The Fortunes of Fairleigh' And I would urge any one who may deem any incidents in the following Chapters exaggerated, or impossible, to turn to a file of newspapers, or refer to his own memory, and if he does not find indexed under the head of 'Drunkenness, its influence,' enough to justify every incident in "The Fortunes of Fairleigh,' I shall be surprised indeed. It may do good, and will give the actor in it no pain for the reader to know that the Second Chapter of the Third Part, entitled 'The Midnight Walk, and how it Ended,' is the simple experience of a reclaimed man, in no whit exaggerated. The circumstance occurred not eighteen months ago. THE AUTHOR. |